This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Jaden Jackson had some offers out East, but he wanted to stay home. He had a chance to try to walk on at Utah, but he wanted a chance to earn a scholarship.

In the end, Salt Lake Community College seemed like the best fit for the West Jordan senior. Playing for his old AAU coach, Jackson hopes to prove he's worth a Division I scholarship some day.

"I think I'm a DI player, and I had some options, but I think working at SLCC for a few years can help me get there," Jackson said in an interview with the Tribune. "It just made a lot of sense."

The 6-foot-1 Jackson was the leading scorer in the state as a junior, but stunned Utah basketball observers by tranferring from Skyline to West Jordan. He paired up with Utah Pump-N-Run teammates Jordan Loveridge and Jordan Pryor to lead the Jauguars to a Region 3 championship and the Class 5A semifinals. Jackson averaged 16 points and five assists per game as the team's point guard.

Jackson added that Dixie State and Western Nebraska were in the mix. Boston College also invited him to walk on.

The Bruins add the talented guard after going 22-9 last season, but only 9-6 in conference. Todd Phillips, who coached Jackson with UPNR, took over as the permanent replacement in March after serving as interim head coach last year.

"I like Todd a lot — he's a great coach," Jackson said. "It's definitely nice to go to a place that wants you. My family and I are really excited."

• In other basketball news, Ron Ence confirmed that he will continue coaching the girls' basketball team at Riverton. The nine-year head coach had decided to step down from the position in March, but reevaluated the move. Ence led the Silverwolves to the Class 5A semifinals last year.

— Kyle Goon

Twitter: @kylegoon